In Memoriam: H. John Michel, Jr.

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected loss of our good friend and partner Jack Michel.

In his more than 32 years with Drinker Biddle, Jack exemplified the highest form of excellence and embodied the most important values of the firm. But, of greater importance, he was our friend and mentor.

Jack is survived by his wife, our partner Diana McCarthy, his three step-daughters, Jeanne, Julie and Kelly, and seven grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity founded by Jack and Diana, Beaver Valley Conservancy, a non-profit group devoted to conserving land in Beaver Valley in Pennsylvania and Delaware. (The Beaver Valley Fund at Delaware Community Foundation, 100 W. 10th Street, #115, Wilmington, DE 19801).

During his long career at Drinker, Jack held a number of management positions, including Managing Partner, Chairman of the firm’s Business and Finance Department, member of the firm’s Practice Management Committee, Chairman of the firm’s Strategic Planning Committee, and partner for Practice Planning and Growth. He was also, most recently, co-chair of the Intellectual Property Group. Beyond all of these contributions, Jack acted selflessly as a mentor and supporter to lawyers and staff throughout the firm.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Jack was a historian focused on the economic and social development of the North Atlantic economy during the period 1550–1800, with a particular focus on capital formation and social development in the American Colonies during the latter half of that period.

Jack will be deeply missed.